LeBlog--The Blog about life…writing, raising kids, chasing dogs, handling life and all its bit parts.

July 30, 2010

 

Interview at Where The Map ends

Thought y'all might want to see this interview about my upcoming Amish/vampire novel. This is such a cool site on speculative fiction!

http://www.wherethemapends.com/Interviews/current_interview.htm

July 27, 2010

 

Island Time




Aloha! I'm back from vacation but am still trying to get back in the groove. I think I like the laid back feel of the islands better than the rush-rush of my everyday world. I spent plenty of time on the beach, just lazing beneath the sun and reading up a storm. I thought I'd share a few pictures of the next few days of our trip. This is one view from our lanai. I love how the same view can have so many different looks. The last was taken early in the morning as the sun was rising. Another midday. And the first was taken just as a storm was blowing through. Storms in Kauai crop up every day but they don't last long. And so it is with life, eh? Storms crop up but hopefully they don't last long. But the storms are important because that rain makes the island so lush and beautiful. And the storms in our lives help us to grow strong. If you're experiencing a storm in your life, I hope it blows over quickly. But mostly I hope you're having a clear-blue day! Because we all need to enjoy those! Aloha!

July 15, 2010

 

Going fishing…no, surfing!

It's the count down to my vacation. Boy, do I need it. So you may not see me around in the next few days. And that's okay. No worries though, my wonderful sister is here taking care of the pets, including the Hilo Monster. Boy, I wish she could go with us. Wish The Hilo Monster could too as I would dearly love to see her attack the surf and roll in the sand. But not this trip. Catch on the flipside!

Blessings,

Leanna

July 14, 2010

 

Welcome author Patti Hill and Tillie!




Le: Hi, y’all! Please welcome author Patti Hill today! Hi, Patti! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and introduce us to your Tillie. So let’s get started! What is your favorite kind of a pet? Dog, cat, guinea pig? And why?

PH: We’ve had just about everything living in our house, except snakes. I draw the line at snakes. My favorite, hands down, are dogs. It’s the unconditional love and slobbering affection that wins my heart. I don’t think our first son would have graduated middle school if not for Katie. She slept with him every Sunday to offer comfort for the approaching Monday.

Le: Ahh, how sweet! Pets can be so comforting and calming. How many pets do you have today?

PH: We have one dog, Tillie the personal trainer. She’s an Australian Shepherd. The breeder warned us that she needed a job to be happy. Her job is to walk my husband (before sunrise) and me (at a more reasonable hour) two miles day. If weather or a busy schedule cuts into her “working” time, she experiences doggie depression.

Le: What a good task for Tillie! The Hilo Monster walks me too. Have you ever rescued an animal?

PH: We rescued our previous dog, Katie. That dog knew how to love exuberantly. She was the perfect dog for our growing boys…and me.

Le: I love that! Isn’t it amazing how God brings just the right animal to us. I think they bless us more than we bless them. Do you ever incorporate animals into your novels?

PH: I can barely imagine life without a dog around, so I do incorporate dogs into my novels. There’s Blink, a huge black Labrador in my Garden Gates series. What a galoot! He’s a shoulder to cry on and a tail to duck! Bee, short for Miss Bee Haven, is the yellow Labrador in Seeing Things. She bridges the gap between Birdie and her grandson and creates a chasm between Birdie and her daughter-in-law. Bee is one busy dog. Tonto is a wiry mutt in my work in progress, Goodness and Mercy. He chases trains and gives a young boy a warm back to nuzzle at night.

Le: I love that! And love your descriptions: ‘a tail to duck!’ Boy, if you have a lab then you know that’s true! What was your favorite character animal?

PH: Black Beauty! Sorry for shouting. I loved horses as a young girl. Imagine my delight to get inside the head of the amazing Black Beauty. I learned to love reading and horses from Black Beauty.

Le: Has one of your own pets been the inspiration for a pet/character in a novel?

PH: When I need a dog that sheds her body weight daily, I’ll draw on Tillie. The rest of my canine characters have been a composite of dogs I’ve known and loved.

Le: That’s hilarious! I have a dog that sheds like that. What is the funniest thing you’ve seen one of your animals do?

PH: Katie loved to sit on my husband’s lap after dinner. He scooted his chair away from the table and up she hopped. Katie wasn’t a lap dog. She weighed 50 pounds! And she sat in his lap, hind legs extended, like a child.

Le: That’s hilarious! Is there a secret that only our pet knows?

PH: Only Tillie knows I ask her for help when I get stuck on a story. She’s brilliant, really. She knows how to help me without saying a word.

Le: Tillie, the muse, huh? Love it! What is your pet’s pet peeve about you?

PH: “My owner only feeds me two times a day. Can you imagine? I’m starving! I work hard. I deserve more kibble.”

Le: What is your pet peeve about your pet?

PH: The shedding. The shedding. The shedding. Did I mention the shedding?

Le: I feel your pain. Really! Thank you, Patti, so much for taking the time to be with us! Now, I’d love to ask your pet a few questions. Don’t forget to give your sweet pet a treat afterwards. ☺ Hi, Tillie! What would be the title of your autobiography?

PH: Walking Patti

Le: I bet it would be filled with adventures. If you were to write a novel, would your friend inspire one of the characters?

PH: I’m sad to say that Patti is way too boring to be in a novel. She spends most of her time at her computer. Talk about dulls-ville!

Le: I hear that complaint a lot from author’s pets. Must we why so many authors have pets. We need excitement in our lives. So, Tillie, what’s your favorite movie?

PH: It’s a toss-up between White Fang and Lassie. I see myself as the wolf, protecting my owner without sacrificing nobility. However, Lassie is my cerebral self. I can’t decide between the two. Did you know I catch popcorn with my mouth?

Le: What a brilliant trick! I’m impressed. What musical instrument would you like to play?

PH: I do a great imitation of a whining trumpet. It’s the only thing that will get my owner out of her recliner to open the door. But honestly, I long to play the drums. You see, I don’t have a tail. I’m quite envious of other dogs who get to pound out their happiness on the ground, a door, or a human for that matter.

Le: That just might be the perfect instrument for you! What do you think about cats? Dogs?

PH: Cats are, well, aloof. They never want to play with me. And I am a bit of a party animal. Small dogs aren’t much better. They snarl at me, and I’m the kindest, most fun-loving dog you will ever meet. My best friends are other Aussies, but I have quite a fondness for Labradors.

Le: Me too. But I love Aussies too! You are so smart! Where do you sleep at night?

PH: Thank you for asking. Although I must wait until my owner finishes her night-time ritual, I have my own room, the master bathroom. I’m not one to share my space with snoring humans. I need my room for dreamland romps. The floor is soft and no one steps on me.

Le: Sounds perfect. What do you do when your friend is writing?

PH: I lay right there beside her. She will occasionally ask me to leave when I, well, pass gas. She’s a flighty thing.

Le: How persnickety! What is your idea of bliss?

PH: Please, don’t be offended, but I enjoy running sans clothing (leash and collar) through fields of wildflowers. I can smell whatever crosses my meandering path without comments from my owner. Is it my fault she hasn’t developed a liking for more exotic aromas? Of course, I also love my kibble, the more the better.

Le: No offense taken! Sounds heavenly! What is your friend’s idea of bliss?

PH: This is a tough question. It’s rather difficult to tell with her. She spends hours staring at her computer, but how could that be blissful? She also rushes about with a toilet brush in her hand from time to time. Certainly that can’t be her bliss. All right, if I must give one answer, this is it: walking with me. How could it be anything else?
What is more fun? More satisfying? Yes, she lives to go for walks with me.

Le: I think you are very perceptive, Tillie! Thanks for being here with us today! You take care of your friend now, ya

July 5, 2010

 

En Guarde!


I'm traveling this week and had to leave hubby home guarding all the animals. But the kids and I are in Atlanta for the US Fencing Nationals. This is a picture of my son fencing at a tournament earlier in the year. This is his 2nd Nationals, and it's always very exciting. It reminds me a lot of going to writers conferences. You can feel the energy in the air when you're surrounded by people who LOVE what they do. Today was an important day as we arrived in Atlanta and bought what equipment we needed and had my son's equipment checked. This is a very important part of a tournament. The fencer's helmet, lame and cords must all be checked and in working order. After all, they are jabbing at each other with metal. My son's coach told me of a Russian fencer who died when his opponent's blade snapped. The other fencer was at full tilt and couldn't stop. His broken blade went straight through the Russian's helmet. Serious stuff. Helmets are now made even stronger. And so they must be tested. They also have to have an underarm protector as well as a chest protector. There's also their jacket and then the lame over that, along with a glove. When equipment doesn't pass inspection, new equipment must be purchased. They stamp each piece of equipment to show it has been checked.

Fencing isn't for sissies. It's a tough sport. A couple of weeks ago my son came home from fencing camp. When he got out of the shower, I saw his bare chest. It was covered in bruises and scrapes, all from where the weapon had jabbed him above his chest protector. Quite often, he has bruises all over his legs from more jabs.

Watching my son fence has reminded me of what we as Christians should do each day…as we are not in a battle of flesh and blood. And we have equipment--breastplate, shield and sword… Have you checked your equipment lately? Is it ready? Are you armed? Stay on guard, because we are in a tough battle.

Blessings,

Leanna

July 1, 2010

 

Holley Gerth and Katie!






Le: This past spring, I met Holley Gerth at the Mt. Hermon Writers Conference. What a sweetheart she is! So I’m happy to welcome her here along with her adorable dog, Katie! So, Holley, let’s jump write in: what is your favorite kind of a pet? Dog, cat, guinea pig? And why?

HG: I’m a fan of dogs because they like to sleep and eat food as much as I do!

Le: They do indeed! How many pets do you have today?

HG: I have one dog, a beagle-basset mix (aka “bagel”) named Katie.

Le: And she is so cute! Have you ever rescued an animal?

HG: Yes, we rescued Katie from an animal shelter in a neighboring state. She was the featured dog on petfinder.com. I saw her picture, fell in love, drove two hours to put a deposit on her (we were leaving on vacation the next day) and came back for her a week later!

Le: That’s a wonderful story! What is the funniest thing you’ve seen one of your animals do?

HG: Our poor little Katie just had a cone on her head for about a week. Being the most laidback and uncoordinated dog in the universe, she bumped into all sorts of things. The funny part was that it didn’t bother her a bit! She’d just wag her tail and keep on bumping.

Le: They look so pathetic in those things, don’t they? Is there a secret that only Katie knows?

HG: She knows how much chocolate I truly eat and where in my house to find it.

Le: Uh-oh! That’s not good. No sharing chocolate with our pets. Not that we’re selfish with our chocolate, right? But it’s so bad for them! What is your pet’s pet peeve about you?

HG: She thinks I need more exercise…specifically, the kind that involves her, a leash, and a walk around the block.

Le: Oh, yes, I have one like that too. Katie just cares deeply about you and knows that walking is the best exercise. What is your pet peeve about your pet?

HG: When she trees a squirrel or possum in the middle of the night, she howls like a madwoman and refuses to come inside. Anything that disturbs my sleep makes the pet peeve list!

Le: I hear ya on that one! Thank you so much for taking the time to be with us, Holley! Now, I’d love to ask Katie a few questions. Don’t forget to give your sweet pet a treat afterwards. ☺ Hi, Katie! Aren’t you cute! I think you should write a story about your life in the shelter and how you were found by Holley. What would be the title of your autobiography?

K: Sleep is good. Food is better. How to quit your job and get all your needs met just because you’re cute.

Le: That would certainly attract a lot of folks I know. If you were to write a novel, would your friend inspire one of the characters?

K: Yes, she would be the moody one who controls the milkbones. But we’d all love her anyway because she “accidentally” drops food on the floor.

Le: A good habit for a friend to have. What’s your favorite movie?

K: Hitch. It’s her favorite movie and she pets my head the whole time she watches it.

Le: Ahh! What musical instrument would you like to play?

K: The tuba. It sounds just like my howl.

Le: That’s funny! So you could just play that tuba when those squirrels or possums storm the house. What do you think about cats? Dogs?

K: I think both of them smell really good.

Le: Where do you sleep at night?

K: I used to sleep in a crate but I used my sad eyes to convince them to let me sleep on a blanket in front of the couch. Have you ever tried the “sad eyes” trick? You should. I’m telling you, pure genius on God’s part.

Le: Yes, indeed it does! I was the baby of the family and it works well. What do you do when your friend is writing?

K: The same things I do when she’s not writing…sleep and eat. Haven’t you read my autobiography?

Le: Of course! What is your idea of bliss? Wait! I bet I can guess…

K: The moment when I watch, in slow motion it seems, a piece of my favorite food slip from the counter and into my waiting jaws. It makes me so happy I sometimes wonder if my tail will fall off.

Le: What is your friend’s idea of bliss?

K: Chocolate. But I’m not telling where she keeps it.

Le: Oh, Katie! That’s so unfair! But thank you so much for being with us today! You take care of your friend now, ya hear?

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